Home » Columns»​5 ways Singaporeans can indulge in the Korean experience

​5 ways Singaporeans can indulge in the Korean experience

​5 ways Singaporeans can indulge in the Korean experience - without leaving Singapore

You can have some very “Korean” experiences without leaving Singapore. For what it's worth, I tend to be meticulous about what I recommend to people, and after some thought I've put together this short list of ways you can really experience the best stuff (mostly food). The how is just as important as the where, which I will elaborate on.

Tanjong PagarLet's get the obvious out of the way first. Along Tanjong Pagar road, there is a collection of distinctly Korean restaurants - a great place for foodies to experience Korean style Chicken at places like Chicken Up and Korean style 짜장면 (Jjajangmien) at Obba JJajang. It is also a gathering place for Koreans studying and working in Singapore, for those of you who want to see what real Koreans actually look like outside of dramas. The food can be fairly generic, though.

Voicebooth, Cathay CineplexA personal favourite, voicebooth is the answer to a demand that only young Koreans understand. There was a long period of time before voicebooth where we wondered, where could we get our singing fix for a reasonable price. Other places exist, however they don't quite deliver the value voicebooth does.

​I remember paying 80 dollars per hour for a four hour session (plus cost of beers) with friends once at another place, which firmly shut my mind off from ever returning. Being new myself to singing, I struggle with producing pleasant noises from my squeaky, normally quiet voice, but you will see me there often. Say hi if you do, or better, join us for a friendly screaming session. The idea is to just have fun and be silly.

SingkobaThis is surely a biased choice, but I cannot get enough of their cooking. Aside the fact that the family owning the store are super friendly, they have even tried to introduce me to a ridiculously pretty half-Korean half-Singaporean girl. It is worth noting here briefly the culture of matchmaking, as opposed to tinder in Korea.

​Tell the boss lady you heard about this "value-added service" from me, and I am sure eventually she will give me an earful. Currently, there are more guys looking than girls, so ladies, you will have your pick of lonely, sad Korean guys.

Back to the food, some of the best Korean you can have anywhere, even compared to Korean restaurants in Korea. Try the Geranjjim (egg pudding?). Such a simple dish yet theirs taste the best. Soups are also a great bet. You can see me here too, I will either be with other friends or chatting with the owners. Needless to say, their year-on-year growth in popularity (and revenue) is phenomenal.

Concerts Koreans tend to be sheltered from the greater world of music and film entertainment, whilst enjoying a current wave of international popularity for their own. It's like Korea is its own world. I dare say that music in Korea is 10 years behind the world. Although this is less true than before, Koreans are just as crazy about Korean celebrities as the world is currently.

Most people reading this probably became lovers of all things Korean when they came across a heart-melting lead performance from Song joong-ki, or Bae young-joon, or the phenomenon that is SNSD or EXO and they know about all the celebrities visiting Singapore and concerts going on.

​But if you don't, find some Korean buddies (ladies usually) and spend an evening at a Korean concert. I was previously fairly involved in this scene, and truthfully it takes months and lots of hard work to deliver those two or three hours of magic.

Korean supermarkets​Shine, lotte mart, you know what I am talking about. One thing truly difficult to ignore is how many more original and great tasting Korean snacks there are compared to other places. Perhaps only Japanese snacks come close. My current favourite is 오감자 (ohgamja) and my childhood addiction was to 고래밥 (gorebab). Not only that, the popsicles and ice cream such as melona and screwbar are a treat, reminding me of when I was young enough to eat such things daily.

If you read all this, I'll share a really nice secret with you folks;

Learn Korean and hang out with Koreans: It's one of the easiest languages to pick up. How? Take some introductory classes first, but afterwards, the real trick is to reach out to Korean families and offer to teach their kids English. In no time, you will be rather fluent (and richer). This is exactly how I learned Korean, which I am told is indistinguishable from native Korean speakers now.

​Like Korean guys? Learn Korean (don't show TOO much obsession with KPOP though). Like Korean girls? Tell them 사랑해요 (Sarangheyo) and watch as they melt at how cute you are. Or swear at them, it’s hilarious when a foreigner knows an actual sentence involving R-rated words. Or learn nonsense like 닭이 좋으면 닭이랑 살아 (figure that one out yourselves).

Writer : Michael Kang is an entrepreneur with experience in the Korean Celebrity industry and financial advisor with AIA. ​